Flow cell, read head, and skid attachment

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes a flow cell, a read head, and a skid attachment for measuring real-time molecular weight for downstream process control. In an embodiment, the flow cell comprises a hollow cylindrical tube, an inlet flange connected to an inlet of the tube, and an outlet flange connected to an outlet of the tube. In an embodiment, the read head comprises at least one push rod, at least two line contacts, where the at least one push rod is configured to push an outer side wall of a flow cell against the at least two line contacts. In an embodiment, the skid attachment comprises a plurality of arms connected to an enclosure configured to house at least a multi-angle light scattering instrument comprising a read head.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to multi-angle light scattering, and morespecifically, to a flow cell, a read head, and a skid attachment formeasuring real-time molecular weight for downstream process control.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a flow cell, a read head, and a skidattachment for measuring real-time molecular weight for downstreamprocess control. In an exemplary embodiment, the flow cell comprises (1)a hollow cylindrical tube, (2) an inlet flange connected to an inlet ofthe tube, and (3) an outlet flange connected to an outlet of the tube.In an exemplary embodiment, the read head comprises (1) at least onepush rod, (2) at least two line contacts, where the at least one pushrod is configured to push an outer side wall of a flow cell against theat least two line contacts, thereby registering the flow cell within theread head. In an exemplary embodiment, the skid attachment comprises aplurality of arms connected to an enclosure configured to house at leasta multi-angle light scattering instrument comprising a read head, wherethe enclosure is configured to be connected to a skid via the pluralityof arms, where the skid is configured to house chemical processingequipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2A depicts a flow cell in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2B depicts a flow cell in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2C depicts a flow cell in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2D depicts a flow cell in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2E depicts a flow cell in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2F depicts a flow cell in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2G depicts a flow cell in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow cell in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4A depicts a read head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4B depicts a read head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4C depicts a read head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4D depicts a read head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4E depicts a read head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4F depicts a read head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4G depicts a read head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4H depicts a read head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4I depicts a read head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4J depicts a read head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment

FIG. 4K depicts a read head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5A depicts a skid attachment in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 5B depicts a skid attachment in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 5C depicts a skid attachment in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6A depicts a skid attachment in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6B depicts a skid attachment in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6C depicts a skid attachment in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 7A depicts a skid attachment in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 7B depicts a skid attachment in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 7C depicts a skid attachment in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts a graph in accordance with an embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes a flow cell, a read head, and a skidattachment for measuring real-time molecular weight for downstreamprocess control. In an exemplary embodiment, the flow cell comprises (1)a hollow cylindrical tube, (2) an inlet flange connected to an inlet ofthe tube, and (3) an outlet flange connected to an outlet of the tube.In an exemplary embodiment, the read head comprises (1) at least onepush rod, (2) at least two line contacts, where the at least one pushrod is configured to push an outer side wall of a flow cell against theat least two line contacts, thereby registering the flow cell within theread head. In an exemplary embodiment, the skid attachment comprises aplurality of arms connected to an enclosure configured to house at leasta multi-angle light scattering instrument comprising a read head, wherethe enclosure is configured to be connected to a skid via the pluralityof arms, where the skid is configured to house chemical processingequipment.

Flow Cell

In an exemplary embodiment, the flow cell is depicted in FIG. 2A, FIG.2B, FIG. 2C, FIG. 2D, FIG. 2E, FIG. 2F, FIG. 2G, and FIG. 3. Referringto in FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, FIG. 2D, FIG. 2E, FIG. 2F, FIG. 2G, inan exemplary embodiment, the flow cell includes a hollow cylindricaltube 210, an inlet flange 220 connected to an inlet 212 of tube 210, andan outlet flange 230 connected to an outlet 214 of tube 210. In anembodiment, tube 210 includes an orientation indicator 240 configured toallow the flow cell to be positioned within a read head.

In an embodiment, tube 210, inlet flange 220, and outlet flange 230include an optically clear material. In a particular embodiment, tube210, inlet flange 220, and outlet flange 230 are an optically clearmaterial. In an embodiment, tube 210, inlet flange 220, and outletflange 230 include a material with the optical qualities, the chemicalresistivity, and the strength of fused quartz. In a particularembodiment, tube 210, inlet flange 220, and outlet flange 230 are amaterial with the optical qualities, the chemical resistivity, and thestrength of fused quartz. In an embodiment, the material is one of fusedsilica, sapphire, borosilicate, Schott N-K5 glass, and fused quartz. Inan embodiment, tube 210, inlet flange 220, and outlet flange 230 includefused quartz. In a particular embodiment, tube 210, inlet flange 220,and outlet flange 230 are fused quartz.

In an embodiment, tube 210, inlet flange 220, and outlet flange 230include a material with at least the Young's modulus of fused silica, atleast the tensile strength of fused silica, at least the sheer strengthof fused silica, and at least the yield strength of fused silica. In aparticular embodiment, tube 210, inlet flange 220, and outlet flange 230are a material with at least the Young's modulus of fused silica, atleast the tensile strength of fused silica, at least the sheer strengthof fused silica, and at least the yield strength of fused silica.

In an embodiment, tube 210 has a concentricity of less than 0.13. In aparticular embodiment, tube 210 has a concentricity greater than orequal to 0.05 and less than or equal to 0.07. In an embodiment, tube210, inlet flange 220, and outlet flange 230 have a scratch dig between10-5 and 20-10.

In an embodiment, tube 210, inlet flange 220, and outlet flange 230 arecompatible with industry standard sanitary tri-clamp fittings. In anembodiment, tube 210, inlet flange 220, and outlet flange 230 aregamma-sterilizable. In an embodiment, tube 210, inlet flange 220, andoutlet flange 230 are disposable. In an embodiment, tube 210, inletflange 220, and outlet flange 230 are compatible with a volume flow rateof greater than or equal to 20 L/minute.

Read Head

In an exemplary embodiment, the read head is depicted in FIG. 4A, FIG.4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E, FIG. 4F, FIG. 4G, FIG. 4H, FIG. 4I, FIG.4J, and FIG. 4K.

Referring to in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E, FIG. 4F,FIG. 4G, FIG. 4H, FIG. 4I, FIG. 4J, and FIG. 4K, in an exemplaryembodiment, the read head includes at least one push rod 410, at leasttwo line contacts 420, 430, and where at least one push rod 410 isconfigured to push an outer side wall of a flow cell against at leasttwo line contacts 420, 430, thereby registering the flow cell within theread head. In an embodiment, the read head is configured to hold theflow cell in a flow cell holder, where the flow cell and the flow cellholder are concentric.

In a further embodiment, the read head further includes a lever 440connected to push rod 410, where lever 440 is configured to be moved ina first direction to move push rod 410 to push the outer side wall ofthe flow cell against at least two line contacts 420, 430, therebyregistering the flow cell within the read head, and where lever 440 isconfigured to be moved in a second direction to move push rod 410 awayfrom the outer side wall of the flow cell, thereby releasing the flowcell from at least two line contacts 420, 430, thereby releasing theflow cell from the read head. In an embodiment, each of at least twoline contacts 420, 430 include a first line contact piece 425, 427; anda second line contact piece 435, 437 in line with first line contactpiece 425, 427 and separated from first line contact piece 425, 427 by adistance. In a particular embodiment, the distance is at least 0.5 in.In an embodiment, a spring, a cam, a hydraulic press, an electric servomotor, a pneumatic press, or a screw is connected to push rod 410, wherethe spring, the cam, the hydraulic press, the electric servo motor, thepneumatic press, or the screw is configured to be moved in a firstdirection to move push rod 410 to push the outer side wall of the flowcell against at least two line contacts 420, 430, thereby registeringthe flow cell within the read head, and where the spring, the cam, thehydraulic press, the electric servo motor, the pneumatic press, or thescrew is configured to be moved in a second direction to move push rod410 away from the outer side wall of the flow cell, thereby releasingthe flow cell from at least two line contacts 420, 430, therebyreleasing the flow cell from the read head. Registering the flow cellwithin the read head could allow for more accurate measurements from theflow cell.

In an exemplary embodiment, the read head includes at least one pushrod, at least three point contacts, and where the at least one push rodis configured to push an outer side wall of a flow cell against the atleast three point contacts, thereby registering the flow cell within theread head. In a further embodiment, a read head further includes a leverconnected to the push rod, where the lever is configured to be moved ina first direction to move the push rod to push the outer side wall ofthe flow cell against the at least three point contacts, therebyregistering the flow cell within the read head, and where the lever isconfigured to be moved in a second direction to move the push rod awayfrom the outer side wall of the flow cell, thereby releasing the flowcell from the at least three point contacts, thereby releasing the flowcell from the read head.

Skid Attachment

In an exemplary embodiment, the skid attachment is depicted in FIG. 5A,FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG.7C. Referring to in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG.6C, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C, in an exemplary embodiment, the skidattachment includes a plurality of arms 510, 610, 710 connected to anenclosure 540, 640, 740, configured to house at least a multi-anglelight scattering instrument comprising a read head. In an embodiment,plurality of arms 510, 610, 710 include at least four arms.

In a particular embodiment, plurality of arms 510, 610, 710 include atleast two sets of arms 512, 516, 612, 616, 712, 716, wherein each of atleast two sets of arms 512, 516, 612, 616, 712, 716 includes two arms520, 522, 526, 528, 620, 622, 626, 628, 720, 722, 726, 728 connected toan enclosure holder 530, 532, 630, 632, 730, 732 configured to beconnected to enclosure 540, 640, 740.

In an embodiment, enclosure 540, 640, 740 is configured to be connectedto a skid via plurality of arms 510, 610, 710. In an embodiment, theskid is configured to house chemical processing equipment.

In a further embodiment, plurality of arms 510 and 610 further includeat least two pins 550, 552, 650, 652, where at least two pins 550, 552,650, 652 are configured to couple together at least two sets of arms512, 516, 612, 616, thereby connecting plurality of arms 510, 610 andenclosure 540, 640 to the skid.

Example

As an example, FIG. 8 depicts the performance of the flow cell whenconnected to chemical processing equipment.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flow cell comprising: a hollow cylindricaltube; an inlet flange connected to an inlet of the tube; and an outletflange connected to an outlet of the tube.
 2. The flow cell of claim 1wherein the tube, the inlet flange, and the outlet flange comprise anoptically clear material.
 3. The flow cell of claim 1 wherein the tube,the inlet flange, and the outlet flange comprise a material with theoptical qualities, the chemical resistivity, and the strength of fusedquartz.
 4. The flow cell of claim 2 wherein the material is one of fusedsilica, sapphire, borosilicate, Schott N-K5 glass, and fused quartz. 5.The flow cell of claim 1 wherein the tube has a concentricity of lessthan 0.13.
 6. The flow cell of claim 5 wherein the tube has aconcentricity greater than or equal to 0.05 and less than or equal to0.07.
 7. The flow cell of claim 1 wherein the tube, the inlet flange,and the outlet flange have a scratch dig between 10-5 and 20-10.
 8. Theflow cell of claim 1 wherein the tube, the inlet flange, and the outletflange are compatible with industry standard sanitary tri-clampfittings.
 9. The flow cell of claim 1 wherein the tube, the inletflange, and the outlet flange are compatible with a volume flow rate ofgreater than or equal to 20 L/minute.
 10. The flow cell of claim 1wherein the tube comprises an orientation indicator configured to allowthe flow cell to be positioned within a read head.
 11. A read headcomprising: at least one push rod; at least two line contacts; andwherein the at least one push rod is configured to push an outer sidewall of a flow cell against the at least two line contacts, therebyregistering the flow cell within the read head.
 12. The read head ofclaim 11 further comprising a lever connected to the push rod, whereinthe lever is configured to be moved in a first direction to move thepush rod to push the outer side wall of the flow cell against the atleast two line contacts, thereby registering the flow cell within theread head, and wherein the lever is configured to be moved in a seconddirection to move the push rod away from the outer side wall of the flowcell, thereby releasing the flow cell from the at least two linecontacts, thereby releasing the flow cell from the read head.
 13. Theread head of claim 11 wherein each of the at least two line contactscomprise: a first line contact piece; and a second line contact piece inline with the first line contact piece and separated from first linecontact piece by a distance.
 14. The read head of claim 13 wherein thedistance is at least 0.5 in.
 15. A skid attachment comprising: aplurality of arms connected to an enclosure configured to house at leasta multi-angle light scattering instrument comprising a read head. 16.The skid attachment of claim 15 wherein the plurality of arms compriseat least four arms.
 17. The skid attachment of claim 16 wherein theplurality of arms comprise at least two sets of arms, wherein each ofthe at least two sets of arms comprise two arms connected to anenclosure holder configured to be connected to the enclosure.
 18. Theskid attachment of claim 17 wherein the enclosure is configured to beconnected to a skid via the plurality of arms.
 19. The skid attachmentof claim 18 wherein the skid is configured to house chemical processingequipment.
 20. The skid attachment of claim 18 further comprising atleast two pins, wherein the at least two pins are configured to coupletogether the at least two sets of arms, thereby connecting the pluralityof arms and the enclosure to the skid.